Many products contain citronella oil, which can repel mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes can be extraordinarily annoying pests, especially over the summer months during cookouts and other outdoor activities. There are many repellents available from various manufacturers that can keep the pests at bay, including citronella oil, which can be burned in a candle or sprayed around a perimeter to protect you and your family from the disease-spreading bugs as well as a variety of other potentially harmful insects. Does this Spark an idea?
Basics
Citronella oil is an essential oil, meaning that it contains aroma compounds from plants, that is extracted from lemon grass. The oil is not only used as an insect repellent, but it also has anti-fungal properties, can calm dogs that tend to bark too much and is used as the basis for fragrance in various perfumes.
Insect Repellent
Citronella oil has been recognized as a natural, non-toxic insect repellent by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) since 1948 and is considered a biopesticide, meaning that it uses biological methods to control pests such as mosquitoes, gnats and other insects. It repels insects by distracting their olfactory senses, burning their scent glands and sending them away.
Types
Citronella oil as a repellent comes in various mediums. In diluted form the oil can be applied directly to the skin using a spray. This method is useful for hiking or outdoor activities where you will be expecting to do a lot of moving. It also comes in a candle form. These candles burn and create a perimeter around a picnic table or patio to keep the insects away.
Other Notes
The EPA considers citronella completely safe and non-toxic and should not induce any health risks when used with healthy individuals. However, in order to perform as an effective repelling agent when used directly on the skin, it must be reapplied every 30 to 60 minutes. When used in shampoos, it has been shown to also help repel head lice.
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